Apparatus and method for mounting baby nipple on, and in fluid communication with, valved bottle cap

ABSTRACT

A method for a parent to safely administer formula to a baby. The method includes the step of providing a pre-packaged, pre-sterilized, self-contained, disposable safety bottle by sterilizing a container; sterilizing formula; charging the sterilized container with the sterilized formula; sealing the container; and, removably mounting a nipple assembly on the container. The nipple assembly includes a base, a nipple, and a removable cover extending over the nipple. The method also includes the steps of delivering the safety bottle to the parent; removing the nipple assembly from the container; unsealing the container; remounting the nipple assembly on the container; removing the cover; administering the formula to the baby; and, discarding the safety bottle.

This application claims priority based on Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/072,313 filed Mar. 28, 2008 and is a continuation-in-part ofpatent application Ser. No. 10/998,480, filed Nov. 29, 2004.

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for administering aliquid to a baby.

More particularly, the invention pertains to a method and apparatus tofacilitate feeding a baby when the baby is traveling away from home.

In a further respect, the invention pertains to a method and apparatusfor feeding a baby without requiring that formula be prepared bytransferring formula from a storage container to a baby bottle.

In another respect, the invention pertains to a method and apparatus forreducing the risk that a baby is fed contaminated or disease ladenformula or other liquids.

Most parents are unaware that it is unlikely that the formula they feedtheir babies is free of disease and contamination.

Bacteria and viruses inhabit counter tops, utensils, dish towels, andother items. The existence of these bacteria is one reasonanti-bacterial sprays and soaps are popular. The fact is, however, thatbacteria are never completely eliminated. This is evidenced inhospitals, where cases of staph are common, despite the various commonlyemployed sterilization measures. Further, about 30% of the populationeach carry staph bacteria in their nose. A particular kind of staphbacteria, called MERSA, is rapidly spreading and is resistant to most,if not all, antibiotics. MERSA has killed adults and children.

During the preparation of a bottle of formula for a baby, a can openeris utilized to open a can of liquid formula or of powdered formula.Since bacteria likely are present both on the top of the can and on thecan opener, the act of opening the can introduces bacteria into theformula. The formula is then poured into a baby bottle. The baby bottle,or the disposable liner user in the baby bottle, likely has beensterilized. After the bottle was sterilized, it was placed on a dishtowel or other surface. Since these surfaces contain bacteria, there isbacteria on the baby bottle. When the formula is poured through air intothe baby bottle, the formula picks up contaminants in the air. The factthat the formula picks up contaminants in the air may seeminsignificant. However, one concern associated with the injection withhypodermic needles of drugs into a human body is that ambient air istypically included in the hypodermic. The contaminants in the ambientair are believed possibly to adversely affect the medicine beingintroduced into the human body, or to affect the well-being of theindividual being injected. The potential toxic affect of pollutants inthe air is well documented.

By the time the formula is poured into a baby bottle, the formula likelyis tainted with a variety of bacteria and contaminants, despite thewell-intentioned efforts of the parent.

The baby nipple is then threaded onto the baby bottle. The baby bottleincludes an externally threaded upper end. The nipple includes aninternally threaded base. The nipple base is turned onto the externallythreaded end of the baby bottle. The nipple is likely contaminated withbacteria. These bacteria or other contaminants can originate from theparent's hands, from a surface on which the nipple was resting, frominsects, etc.

The completed baby bottle is then given to the baby, or, the parentholds the baby bottle while the infant suckles. If the completed babybottle and the contents of the bottle are carefully examined with anelectron microscope and other means, the multitude of bacteria and othercontaminants present would probably astound and depress the parent.

Despite the fact that baby bottles carrying many contaminants areroutinely administered to babies, the very large majority of babiessurvive, and apparently suffer no significant side effects. After all,each baby normally has a functioning immune system which protects thebaby. The fact remains, however, that it is likely that in someinstances bacteria or other contaminants contained on or in baby bottlescause injury or death to a baby, which death or injury may appear to anobserver to have no discernable cause. Deadly bacteria and toxiccontaminants exist that can, in very small quantities, cause seriousinjury to a baby, a child, or an adult.

While the common use of “sterilized” formula, baby bottles and bottleliners is useful, the use of these components in no way guarantees thata baby is fed formula that is truly sterile and free of bacteria andcontaminants.

Another disadvantage of conventional procedures for feeding a baby isthe number of separate steps required. Mixing and transferring formulais messy and requires a variety of implements including formulacontainers, nipples, baby bottles. Mothers have long coped with suchproblems and have successfully raised children for many years. A commonand long standing complaint, however, of mothers are the many componentsrequired to feed a baby, especially when transporting the baby away fromhome. The size and numerous contents of baby bags are legion.

A further disadvantage of the conventional procedures for feeding babiesis the likelihood that baby formula will leak or spill from storagecontainers or baby bottles, requiring cleaning of clothes, blankets, andbags.

Still another disadvantage of the foregoing conventional procedure forfeeding babies is that during travel, a variety of implements has to bepurchased at a grocery store in the event the feeding apparatus for thebaby is lost or misplaced.

One possible approach for mitigating the transfer of contaminants to ababy is to provide a pre-sterilized, sealed bottle with a valved,internally threaded cap that turns on to the externally threaded neck ofthe bottle. The seal is located over the top of the bottle, or possiblyin the valved cap. The cap is unthreaded and removed from the neck ofthe bottle, the seal is opened, the cap is turned back onto the neck ofthe bottle, and the valve in the cap is opened to permit a baby tosuckle on the cap and drink fluid from the bottle. However, even thoughthe use of a valved cap on a baby bottle is well known, such anapparatus does not appear to have been marketed. This likely is becausethe cost of producing such a cap is, in comparison to conventional babynipples prohibitive.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved feedingmethod and apparatus that would significantly reduce the likelihood thatthe formula administered to a baby will include harmful bacteria orcontaminants, that would significantly reduce the number of separatesteps required to administer formula to a baby, that would reduce therisk of formula leakage, that would simplify the administration offormula to a baby during travel, and that would not be cost prohibitive.

It would also be highly desirable to provide an improved method andapparatus for administering liquid to a baby from a sterilized, sealedbottle that is equipped with a valved cap.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the instant invention to providean improved method and apparatus for safely administering cow's milk,soy milk, or other formula to a baby.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved safe feedingmethod and apparatus for significantly reducing the likelihood that theformula given a baby includes bacteria or other contaminants.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved safe feedingmethod and apparatus that greatly simplifies the steps required toadminister formula to a baby.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved safefeeding method and apparatus that simplifies the steps required to feeda baby during travel.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved methodand apparatus for administering liquid to a baby from a bottle with avalved cap.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptionthereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a baby nipple adaptorconstructed in accordance with the principles of the invention for useon an existing valved “sport cap”;

FIG. 2 is a section view illustrating the adaptor of FIG. 1 installed ona valve component of an existing “sport cap”;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an existing conventionalvalved “sport cap”;

FIG. 4 is a section view illustrating a baby nipple adaptor constructedin accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention andinstalled on the valved “sport cap” of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a baby nipple adaptorconstructed in accordance with still another embodiment of the inventionfor installation on the valved “sport cap” of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the adaptor of FIG. 5 illustratingadditional construction details thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the top of the “sport cap” of FIG. 2,the top of which is removed before the adaptor of FIG. 1 is mounted onthe “sport cap”;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the “sport cap” of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the inventionillustrating the adaptor of FIG. 1 installed on a valve component of anexisting “sport cap”, said valve component being modified to providewith an external thread instead of an internal thread;

FIG. 10 is a partial side section view illustrating a pliable pouchliquid container provided with an internally threaded inset shaped anddimensioned to receive rotatably the external thread of the embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial side section view illustrating a pliable pouchliquid container provided with an externally threaded member shaped anddimensioned to receive rotatably the internally threaded base 10 of theembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating the pliable pouch liquid container ofFIG. 10; and,

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating the pliable pouch liquid container ofFIG. 11.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide improvements incombination with a valved bottle cap. The bottle cap includes a hollowinternally threaded base shaped and dimensioned to turn on to theexternally threaded neck of a bottle. The base includes an upper portionwith at least one aperture formed therethrough; a hollow sleeveconnected to and extending upwardly from the base; and, a top extendingover the sleeve and movable between at least two operative positions onthe sleeve, a first open position and a second closed position. Theimprovements adapt the cap to dispense liquid to a baby. Theimprovements includes an adaptor. The adaptor comprises a base shapedand dimensioned to fit over the top such that the base can be manuallyoperated to open and close the top; and, a baby nipple attached to thebase.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, I provideimprovements in combination with a valved bottle cap. The cap includes ahollow internally threaded base shaped and dimensioned to turn on to theexternally threaded neck of a bottle. The base includes an upper portionwith at least one aperture formed therethrough. The cap also includes ahollow sleeve connected to and extending upwardly from the base; and atop extending over the sleeve. The top is movable between at least twooperative positions on the sleeve, a first open position and a secondclosed position. The improvements adapt the cap to dispense liquid to ababy. The improvements include an adaptor. The adaptor comprises a baseshaped and dimensioned to fit over the sleeve such that the base can bemanually operated to open and close the bottle cap; and, a baby nippleattached to the base of the adaptor.

In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide a method for aparent to safely administer formula to a baby. The method includes thesteps of providing a bottle with an externally threaded neck; and,providing a valved bottle cap. The valved cap comprises a hollowinternally threaded base shaped and dimensioned to turn on to theexternally threaded neck of the bottle. The base includes an upperportion with at least one aperture formed therethrough. The cap alsocomprises a hollow sleeve connected to and extending upwardly from thebase; and, a top extending over the sleeve and movable between at leasttwo operative positions on the sleeve, a first open position and asecond closed position. The method also includes the step of providingan adaptor. The adaptor comprises a base shaped and dimensioned to beinstalled on and fit over the top of the cap such that said base of theadaptor can be manually operated to open and close the top; and, a babynipple attached to the base. The method also includes the steps ofinstalling the adaptor on the top of the cap; sterilizing the bottle;sterilizing formula; charging the sterilized bottle with the sterilizedformula; sealing the bottle; threading the base of the cap onto theexternally threaded neck; delivering the bottle to the parent;unthreading and removing the cap from the bottle; unsealing the bottle;threading the cap back onto the neck of the bottle; administering theformula to the baby; and, discarding the bottle.

In still another embodiment of my invention, I provide an improvedmethod to produce a container of ingestible liquid for a baby. Themethod includes the step of providing a manufacturing facility thatproduces a conventional existing valve cap for a bottle of fluid. Thevalve cap includes an internally threaded substantially rigid first baseproduced from a first polymer, includes a first top that slidably moveson said first base between an open position and a closed position, andis produced by mounting said first top on said first base. Themanufacturing facility includes a first assembly process to mount thefirst top on the first base. The method also includes the steps ofproducing a pliable second base fabricated from a second polymerdifferent than the first polymer and shaped and dimensioned to beslidably mounted on the substantially rigid first base for movementbetween an open position and a closed position; producing a soft pliablebaby nipple from a polymer than can be heat welded to the second base;heat welding the baby nipple to the second base to produce a second top;providing a second assembly process different from the first assemblyprocess to mount the second top on the first base to produce a valvedbaby-nipple cap; providing a container including an externally threadedneck; charging said container with a liquid; and, mounting the valvedbaby-nipple cap on the threaded neck of the container.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferredembodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating thepractice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of theinvention, and in which like reference characters refer to correspondingelements throughout the several views. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anadaptor constructed in accordance with the invention and generallyindicated by reference character 100 and including a base 113 thatmounts on the upstanding, hollow, cylindrical sleeve 12 that upwardlydepends from the base 10 of a conventional valved “sport cap” or similarbottle cap. The base 10 is internally threaded 11 and is shaped anddimensioned to fit on the externally threaded neck of a bottle,preferably, but not necessarily, the externally threaded neck of aconventional “PET” bottle. An aperture 26 is formed through the upperportion of base 10 and permits fluid flow communication between the baseand the cylindrical sleeve 12. Sleeve 12 includes inner cylindricalsurface 14 and outer cylindrical surface 14A. Circular lip 13 dependsfrom and extends inwardly from inner surface 14. Vanes 17 and 18interconnect inner surface 14 and hollow cylindrical sleeve 16 andmaintain sleeve 16 in fixed position inside sleeve 12. Generallycylindrical top 15 of sleeve 16 is slidably received by cylindricalopening 118.

Adaptor 100 includes an outwardly radially extending cylindrical wing123 having upper surface 125 and generally cylindrical outer edge 124.Wing 123 is shaped to be large enough to prevent the mouth of a babyfrom fitting over wing 123. The lips of a baby can press against surface125 but normally are not able to fit completely around and over edge124. Baby nipple 117 includes at least one aperture 146 shaped to permita baby to draw liquid from a bottle and out through nipple 117 andopening 146. The material utilized to construct nipple 117 can vary butpreferably comprise a soft elastomeric material like SYNPRENE®. Thematerial utilized to construct nipple 117 preferably enables the lowerflange 127 to nipple 117 to be heat welded, or melted to adhere tosurface 125. This is an important feature of the invention because thematerial utilized to fabricate wing 125 normally is a polymer that isdifferent from the elastomer utilized to make nipple 117. The sameelastomer is typically, but not necessarily, utilized to mold orotherwise produce wing 123 and sleeves 113 and 126 as a single unitarypiece. The currently preferred polymer utilized to produce nipple 117 ispolyolefin elastomer. The currently preferred polymer utilized toproduce wing 123 and sleeves 113 and 126 is polypropylene orpolyethylene. Any desired elastomers can be utilized to fabricate flange127 and surface 125. The material utilized to fabricate flange 127 isnormally, however, different from that utilized to fabricate surface125. The materials utilized preferably permit flange 127 to be sealinglysecured to surface 125 using ultrasonic bonding/welding or other heatgenerating techniques. Flange 127 can, if desired, conform to and extendto the periphery of surface 125. Adhesive can be utilized to secureflange 127 to surface 125.

In one important embodiment of the invention, adaptor 100 is provided ina manufacturing facility that produces a conventional sport cap or othervalved cap including a top 21 that slides and/or turns on a base 20between an open position (which permits liquid to flow out of acontainer through the sport cap) and a closed position (which does notpermit a liquid to flow out from a container through the sport cap). Ina first assembly process in the manufacturing facility the top(s) 21 andbase(s) 20 of a conventional sport cap are assembled. In a secondassembly process in the manufacturing facility the top 21 is notutilized and, instead, the adaptor(s) 100 is mounted on base(s) 20. Thesecond assembly process can occur at the same location as the firstassembly process or at a different location as the first assemblyprocess. Or, the second assembly process can take place at a separatemanufacturing facility. Regardless, an important feature of thisembodiment of the invention is that a base(s) produced utilizing apre-existing manufacturing process for a conventional sport cap or othervalved cap is utilized to produce the base 20 that is utilized incombination with an adaptor 100 or 300 that is produced in accordancewith the invention. A pre-existing manufacturing process is a processthat existing prior to the development of the invention or, that wasbeing used before the manufacturing process was modified to allow anadaptor 100 or 300 to be mounted on a base 20 in place of the top 21normally mounted on the base 20 to produced a valved cap for a fluidcontainer.

In many cases, the material utilized to fabricate the base 20 of aconventional sport cap is polypropylene, and the base 20 issubstantially rigid. This requires that the material utilized to producesleeves 113 and 126 be polyethylene or another polymer that is differentfrom polypropylene (or any other polymer utilized to produce base 20)and will slide over polypropylene. Further, although not required, it ispreferred that the polymer utilized to produces sleeves 113 and 126 bepliable and flexible to facilitate mounting an adaptor 100 or 300 on abase 20 produced using a pre-existing manufacturing process that existedprior to the development of the invention or that was being used toproduce a sport cap or conventional valved cap prior to modification ofthe pre-existing manufacturing process to insert an adaptor 100 or 300on a base 20 being produced using the pre-existing manufacturingprocess. A pliable and flexible polymer facilitates the ability ofsleeves 113 and 126 to slide over portions of base 20 contacted bysleeves 113 and 126. Base 20 can be externally threaded to thread intoan internally threaded inset 412 (FIG. 10) in a container. Similarly, inthe event that a bottle, pouch, bag, carton or other container isassembled with a base 20 already mounted on the container, an adaptor100 ro 300 can, after the container is charged with a fluid, simply beapplied in a manufacturing facility to the base 20 that is mounted onthe container.

Lip 116 extends and outwardly depends from sleeve 126.

FIG. 2 illustrates the adaptor 100 in the closed position withcylindrical top 15 in opening 118. Top 15 and opening 118 can be shapedand dimensioned such that top 15 seals, or substantially seals opening118 when top 15 is positioned in opening 118 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 2. Adaptor 100 is moved to the open position by manuallygrasping edge 124 and pulling adaptor 100 upwardly in the direction ofarrow A. When adaptor 100 is moved in the direction of arrow A, base 10and sleeves 12 and 16 remain in fixed position such that opening 118moves upwardly away from top 15 until lip 116 contacts lip 13. When lip116 contacts lip 13, further movement in the direction of arrow Anormally is prevented, unless the user wishes to completely removeadaptor 100 from sleeve 12 by forcing lip 116 over lip 13, which usuallyis not the case.

FIG. 7 illustrates the top 210 that normally is utilized on sleeve12—instead of adaptor 100—to produce a sport cap. Top 210 includescylindrical sleeves 213 and 215 that are comparable to sleeves 113 and126, respectively. Outwardly projecting circular lip 216 on cylindricalsleeve 215 is comparable to lip 116. Aperture 220 is comparable toaperture 118. Top 210 typically also includes outwardly projecting lip260. Lip 260 aids a user by permitting the user to better grip with histeeth or hand top 210 when the user is attempting to pull top 210outwardly in the direction of arrow A to open a conventional sport cap(or similar bottle) that includes top 210 (instead of adaptor 100)mounted on sleeve 12.

In use of the adaptor 100, a conventional sport cap is providedconsisting of top 210 mounted on sleeve 12. Top 210 is removed anddiscarded or set aside. Alternatively, only the “bottom” portion of asport cap is provided. One such bottom portion is illustrated in FIG. 2and includes base 10 and sleeves 12 and 16. The adaptor 100 is mountedon sleeve 12 by downwardly pressing adaptor 100 such that the lower endof sleeve 126 is inwardly elastically displaced to permit lip 116 todownwardly slide over lip 13. Once lip 116 slides over lip 13, the lowercylindrical end of sleeve 126 elastically moves outwardly to a positionsimilar to that shown in FIG. 2 where sleeve 126 is generally concentricto sleeve 12. Once adaptor 100 is mounted on sleeve 12 in this fashion,adaptor 100 can be slidably displaced in the directions of arrows A andB to open and close opening 118 in the manner earlier described. Whenopening 118 is opened (by moving opening 118 upwardly away from top 15),fluid from a bottle on which base 10 is mounted can flow upwardlythrough base 10, intermediate sleeves 16 and 12, and out through opening118 into nipple 117 in the manner indicated by arrows F and G. When thefluid is inside nipple 117, a baby draws the fluid out through opening146 by sucking on nipple 117.

FIGS. 3 and 8 illustrate another conventional sport cap including a base20, and an upstanding hollow cylindrical sleeve 30 having a top 23. Acylindrical indent 29 circumscribes the outer surface 31 of sleeve 30.Base 20 is internally threaded to be turned on to the externallythreaded neck 19A of a bottle 19. Hollow cylindrical top 21 includescylindrical opening 22 formed in the upper portion thereof and shaped toslidably receive top 23. Outwardly extending circular lip 26circumscribes the upper portion of top 23. Circular lip 28 extendsoutwardly from inner cylindrical surface 32. Lip 28 slides along indent29. FIGS. 3 and 8 illustrate top 21 in the closed position, with lip 28positioned near the bottom of indent 29. Top 21 is moved to the openposition by grasping edge 26 and pulling top 21 in the direction ofarrow C, such that lip 28 slides upwardly along indent 29 up to the topof indent 29. When top 21 is in the open position, liquid can flow froma bottle 19 through base 20, through sleeve 30, and out through opening22 in the manner indicated by arrows H and I in FIG. 8.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate adaptor constructed in accordance withthe invention and generally indicated by reference character 200 andincluding a base 213 that mounts on the exterior of the top 21 of aconventional valved “sport cap” or similar bottle cap. In FIG. 4,cylindrical opening 218 is adjacent and above opening 22 and top 21 isin the closed position.

Adaptor 200 includes an outwardly radially extending cylindrical wing223 having upper surface 225 and generally cylindrical outer edge 224.Wing 223 is shaped to be large enough to prevent the mouth of a babyfrom fitting over wing 223. The lips of a baby can press against surface225 but normally are not able to fit completely downwardly over edge 224and toward base 24. Baby nipple 217 includes at least one aperture 246shaped to permit a baby to draw liquid from a bottle and out throughnipple 217 and opening 246. The material utilized to construct nipple217 can vary but preferably comprise a soft elastomeric material. Thematerial utilized to construct nipple 217 preferably enables the lowerflange 227 to nipple 217 to be heat welded, or melted, to adhere tosurface 225. This is an important feature of the invention because thematerial utilized to fabricate wing 225 normally is a polymer that isdifferent from the elastomer utilized to make nipple 217. Any othermethod or material can be utilized to secure nipple 217 to wing 223. Thesame elastomer is typically, but not necessarily, utilized to mold orotherwise produce both wing 223 and sleeve 213 as a single unitarypiece. The currently preferred polymer utilized to produce nipple 217 ispolyolefin elastomer. The currently preferred polymer utilized toproduce wing 223 and sleeve 213 is polypropylene or polyethylene.

Lip 215 extends and outwardly depends from inner cylindrical surface 214of sleeve 213.

Adaptor 200 and top 21 are moved to the open position by manuallygrasping edge 224 and pulling adaptor 200 and top 21 simultaneouslyupwardly in the direction of arrow L. When adaptor 200 is moved in thedirection of arrow L, base 24 and sleeve 26 remain in fixed position andlip 215 contacts lip 26 to “pull” top 21 upwardly along with adaptor 200in the direction of arrow L. Openings 218 and 22 and adaptor 200 and top21 move upwardly away from top 23 until lip 28 contacts lip 28A at thetop of indent 29. When lip 28 contacts lip 28A, further movement in thedirection of arrow L normally is prevented, unless the user wishes tocompletely remove adaptor 200 from top 21 by forcing lip 215 upwardlyover lip 26. Removal of adaptor 200 from top 21 usually in not intendedby the user. When adaptor 200 is pressed downwardly in the direction ofarrow M, surface 228A contacts and presses downwardly against uppersurface 21A of top 21, generating a force that acts to downwardlydisplace top 21 when lip 28 is contacting lip 28A or when lip 28 is atsome location along indent 29 other than the bottom of indent 29.

In use of the adaptor 200, the conventional sport cap of FIGS. 3 and 8is provided. The adaptor 200 is mounted on top 21 by downwardly pressingadaptor 200 such that the lip 215 and sleeve 213 are outwardlyelastically displaced to permit lip 215 to downwardly slide over lip 26.After lip 215 slides downwardly over and past lip 26, the cylindricalsleeve 213 and lip 215 elastically move inwardly to a position similarto that shown in FIG. 4 where sleeve 213 and lip 215 are generallyconcentric to cylindrical top 21. Once adaptor 200 is mounted on top 21in this fashion, adaptor 200 and top 21 can be slidably simultaneouslydisplaced in the directions of arrows L and M to open and close opening22 in the manner earlier described. When opening 22 is opened (by movingtop 21 and adaptor 200 simultaneously upwardly away from base 24), fluidfrom a bottle 19 on which base 24 is mounted can flow upwardly throughbase 24, through hollow sleeve 30, and out through openings 22 and 218into nipple 217 in the manner indicated by arrows H and I. When thefluid is inside nipple 217, a baby draws the fluid out through opening246 by sucking on nipple 217.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternate adaptor constructed in accordancewith the invention and generally indicated by reference character 300and including a base 313 that mounts on the exterior of the top 21 of aconventional valved “sport cap” or similar bottle cap. When adaptor 300is mounted on the top 21, the lower ends of openings 346 are adjacentand above opening 22.

Adaptor 300 includes an outwardly radially extending cylindrical wing323 having upper surface 325 and generally cylindrical outer edge 324.Wing 323 is shaped to be large enough to prevent the mouth of a babyfrom fitting over wing 323. The lips of a baby can press against surface325 but normally are not able to extend completely over and envelop edge324. Baby nipple 317 includes at least one aperture 346 shaped to permita baby to draw liquid from a bottle and out through nipple 317 andaperture 346. The material utilized to construct nipple 317 can vary butpreferably comprises an elastomeric material. The material utilized toconstruct nipple 317 preferably enables the lower flange 327 of nipple317 to be heat welded, or melted or softened, to adhere sealingly andpermanently to surface 325. This is an important feature of theinvention because the material utilized to fabricate wing 325 normallyis a polymer that is different from the elastomer utilized to makenipple 317. Any other method or material can be utilized to securenipple 317 to wing 323. The same elastomer is typically, but notnecessarily, utilized to mold or otherwise produce both wing 323 andsleeve 313 as a single unitary piece. The currently preferred polymerutilized to produce nipple 317 is polyolefin elastomer. The currentlypreferred polymer utilized to produce wing 323 and sleeve 313 ispolypropylene or polyethylene.

Lip 315 extends and outwardly depends from inner cylindrical surface 314of sleeve 313.

Use of the adaptor 300 is similar to the use of adaptor 200. Theconventional sport cap of FIGS. 3 and 8 is provided. The adaptor 300 ismounted on top 21 by downwardly pressing adaptor 300 such that the lip315 and sleeve 313 are outwardly elastically displaced to permit lip 315to downwardly slide over lip 26. After lip 315 slides downwardly overand past lip 26, the cylindrical sleeve 313 and lip 315 elastically moveinwardly to a position where sleeve 313 and lip 315 are generallyconcentric to cylindrical top 21. Once adaptor 300 is mounted on top 21in this fashion, adaptor 300 and top 21 are simultaneously displaced inthe directions of arrows R and S to open and close, respectively,opening 22 in the manner earlier described with respect to the operationof the sports cap of FIGS. 3 and 8. When opening 22 is opened (by movingtop 21 and adaptor 300 upwardly away from base 24), fluid from a bottle19 on which base 24 is mounted can flow upwardly through base 24,through hollow sleeve 30, and out through openings 22 and 346 throughnipple 317 in the manner indicated by arrows H and I.

The outer diameter of one top 21 and lip 26 of a sport cap constructioncan be different than the outer diameter of another top 210 and lip 260of a sport cap construction. In this case, an adaptor 300 can beconstructed to include one circular lip 330 that will snap over the lip260 of a larger diameter top 21 and also to include a second circularlip 315 that will snap over the lip 26 of a smaller diameter top 210.Lip 315 has a smaller inner diameter than lip 330.

When adaptors 100, 200, 300 are utilized on a sport cap or other bottlecap that is mounted on the neck 19A of a bottle 19, the bottle 19 istypically inverted by a baby utilizing the bottle so that gravityassists the flow of liquid out of the bottle, out through the sport capor portion thereof, and out through the adaptor 100, 200, 300.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, an adaptor 100,200, 300 can be constructed in any desired manner as long as the adaptorwill mount on a sport cap, portion of a sport cap, or other valved capsuch that the adaptor 100, 200, 300 can be moved between a firstoperative position in which liquid is prevented from flowing out of abottle 19 or other container and through the adaptor and a secondoperative position in which liquid is permitted to flow out of a bottle19 and through the adaptor 100, 200, 300. The sport caps illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 are conventional “push-pull” caps. The inventioncan also be utilized on sport caps that twist, or turn, between open andclosed positions.

Nipple 317 is preferably made out of a polymer that permits a baby todeform elastically and displace nipple 317 about one-half inch to eitherside in the manner indicated by dashed lines 405 and arrow T in FIG. 5.Nipple 317 is also, however, substantially solid such that a baby oryoung child can not readily bite or bend nipple 317 to constrictapertures 346 and prevent fluid from flowing through the apertures 346.In contrast, nipples 117 and 217 typically can be bitten or squeezed bythe mouth of a child to prevent formula, water, juice, or some otherfluid in bottle 19 from flowing out through the opening(s) 46, 146 inthe nipple.

The bottle 19 can be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any otherdesired material. The bottle usually, but not necessarily, will bediscarded after liquid in the container is consumed by a baby or child.The container is sterilized.

Milk, soy milk, or some other formula is provided. The formula issterilized and put into the bottle 19. Water, juice, or some other fluidcan also be put in bottle 19 instead of or in conjunction with formula.Water, juice, and fluids other than formula may not requiresterilization, but may only require some preliminary purification steps,or pasteurization steps, etc.

The sterilized formula is put into the sterilized container. Thecontainer is sealed. One preferred way of sealing the container is byplacing a circular seal over the top edge of the neck of the bottle. Theseal can include a layer of aluminum or other metal laminated on paper.The seal can be constructed in any desired manner. The normal functionof the seal is to prevent contaminants from entering the bottle 19 andto prevent liquid from escaping from the bottle. The seal can be peeledoff the bottle when it is desired to use the bottle to feed a baby.Another way of sealing the container is to place one of the sport topsof FIGS. 1 to 4 on the neck of bottle 19 with the valve in the top inthe closed position.

After the baby bottle is sealed, one of the sport cap-adaptorcombinations illustrated in the drawings is mounted on the neck of thebottle 19. The sport cap-adaptor combinations preferably are sterilizedso that after a cover 115, 315 is applied, the sterile nature of thenipple is preserved until cover 115, 315 is removed when bottle 19 isbeing used to feed a baby, or is being used by another individual.

When the bottle 19 and the sport cap-adaptor combination(s) areassembled, a pre-packaged, pre-sterilized, self-contained, disposablesafety bottle is produced. The safety bottle does not requiresterilization prior to use. The safety bottle need not be charged withformula or other liquid prior to use. Use of the safety bottle does notrequire clean up of various utensils which are commonly used to produceformula. A supply of baby bottles is not necessary. A supply of nipplesis not necessary. A supply of formula is not necessary. Sterilizationequipment is not necessary. Bottles, nipples, and equipment need not bestored in sealed area free from insects and chemical contaminants.

The safety baby bottles are delivered to parents by distributing thebottles to grocery stores and other outlets and by the outlets sellingthe safety baby bottles to parents. The parent transports purchasedsafety bottles to home or some other desired location. The parentunthreads base 10, 24 from the neck 19A, and peels the seal 50 off thetop of the neck 19A of the bottle 19. The base 10, 24 is sealinglythreaded back onto neck 19A. Protective cover 115, 315 is removed. Theadaptor 100, 200, 300 is pulled (or turned) in the direction of arrow A,L, or R to displace the adaptor (and, if appropriate, the associated top21) upwardly to open the valve in the cap. Nipple 117, 217, 317 isplaced directly in the mouth of a baby or young child. After the formulaor other liquid in the bottle is administered to the baby, the bottle 19is discarded, or, if some liquid remains in the bottle, is refrigeratedor otherwise stored for future consumption. If desired, bottle 19 can beresealed by downwardly displacing the adaptor 100, 200, 300 in thedirection of arrow B, M, S to close the valve in the cap. This procedurefor administering formula or other liquids to a baby makes it much lesslikely that the formula or other liquid in bottle 19 will becontaminated. The procedure also greatly simplifies traveling with ababy, because the disposable safety bottle of the invention eliminatesmany of the afore-mentioned problems associated with feeding a baby “onthe go”.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the base 10, 24 is sizedto fit on the 28 millimeter diameter externally threaded neck of aconventional water bottle. Such conventional bottles are readilyavailable and widely utilized in grocery stores and other retail outletsand come in various convenient sizes.

Nipple 117, 217, 317 or any other desired portion of the bottlecap-adaptor combination and bottle 19 can be impregnated with a chemicalcomposition that produces a scent that smells like a cherry, blueberry,or other desired fragrance. Such a fragrance can give a person drinkinga fluid through the adaptor-bottle cap assembly the impression that thefluid includes cherry, blueberry, or another food associated with thefragrance. One use of such chemical compositions is set forth in U.S.Pat. No. 6,045,833.

In FIG. 6, the openings 346 formed in nipple 317 preferably, but notnecessarily, permit a cumulative volume of fluid to flow out of openings346 (when the bottle cap valve is open) which is less than that whichflows out of a conventional pop-top that is currently found on waterbottles and is used by adults. The combined volume of fluid which exitsall of the openings 346 when the bottle cap valve is open is presentlypreferably, but not necessarily, equivalent to the volume of liquidwhich flows out of the spout on a tippee-cup top. Tippee-cup spoutstypically are the next step in teaching a young child to drink. Thechild graduates from a baby nipple to a tippee cup spout, and then todrinking out of a glass or cup which does not have a cover. The shapeand dimension of nipple 317 can vary as desired, but nipple 317 ispresently shaped to fit in the mouth of a young child one to four yearsold. Wing 323 is shaped and dimensioned to prevent a child from gettinghis mouth completely over the entire wing 323.

As earlier noted, the baby/child bottles illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 arepreferably each utilized by sterilizing or otherwise disinfecting abottle or other container, by charging the bottle with sterile fluid, bysterilizing or otherwise disinfecting the top, by mounting the top onthe bottle that was charged with fluid to seal the bottle (or byotherwise sealing the top of the bottle with a removable or puncturableseal before mounting the bottle top on the bottle), by covering the topwith a sterilized or disinfected cover or plastic coating to protect thetop from contamination, by selling the pre-sterilized, pre-sealed safetybaby bottle to a consumer, by removing the seal protecting the babybottle, by (if necessary) opening a valve in the top of the safetybottle, by having a young child or infant drink fluid from the bottle,and by discarding the safety bottle. This procedure greatly simplifiesand improves on the safety of the age-old procedures for feeding a baby.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 is generallyequivalent to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, except that theinternally threaded base 10 of a conventional valved “sport cap” orsimilar bottle cap illustrated in FIG. 2 is, in FIG. 9, replaced by thebase 10A provided with external thread 11A. Base 10A is shaped anddimensioned to thread into the internally threaded inset 412 of pliablepouch 410 illustrated in FIG. 10. The pouch 410 includes top 416 and acylindrical wall 411 presently fabricated from a thin, pliable metaland/or polymer sheet, although the materials utilized to fabricate pouch(or some other container) 410 can vary as desired. Inset 412 includeslip 425, internal thread 413, and at least one opening or drain aperture414 that allows liquid in pouch 410 to drain into inset 412 and out ofthe pouch 410 when the pouch 410 is inverted, or turned upside-down,from the orientation illustrated in FIG. 10. The inset 412 and base 10Aillustrated in FIG. 9 are an unpredictable but critical combination inthe practice of the invention because they facilitate the production ofa pouch 410 with a low profile. FIG. 12 is a top view furtherillustrating the cylindrically shaped pouch of FIG. 9.

In contrast to the pouch 410, pouch 420 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13utilized an external hollow neck 422 that outwardly depends from the top426 of the pouch 420. Neck 422 includes external thread and lip 425.Neck 422 is shaped and dimensioned to permit base 10 (FIG. 2) to beturned onto neck 422. Wall 421 is presently fabricated from a thin,pliable metal and/or polymer sheet, although the materials utilized tofabricate pouch (or some other container) 420 can vary as desired. Neck422 includes at least one opening or drain aperture 422 that allowsliquid in pouch 420 to drain into neck 422 and out of the pouch 420 whenthe pouch is inverted fro the orientation illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG.13 is a top view further illustrating pouch 420.

1. A method to produce a container of ingestible liquid for a baby comprising the steps of (a) providing a manufacturing facility that produces a conventional existing valve cap for a bottle of fluid, said valve cap (i) including an internally threaded substantially rigid first base produced from a first polymer, (ii) including a first top that slidably moves on said first base between an open position and a closed position, and (ii) being produced by mounting said first top on said first base, said manufacturing facility including a first assembly process to mount said first top on said first base; (b) producing a pliable second base fabricated from a second polymer different than said first polymer and shaped and dimensioned to be slidably mounted on said substantially rigid first base for movement between an open position and a closed position; (c) producing a soft pliable baby nipple from a polymer than can be heat welded to said second base; (d) heat welding said baby nipple to said second base to produce a second top; (e) providing a second assembly process different from said first assembly process to mount said second top on said first base to produce a valved baby-nipple cap; (f) providing a container including an externally threaded neck; (g) charging said container with an ingestible liquid; and, (h) mounting said valved baby-nipple cap on said threaded neck of said container. 